General Terms and Conditions
- 1. Language Course Registration – Participation Requirements – Start and Duration – Payment Conditions
The contract between Sprachschule Aktiv Braunschweig and the customer is concluded through a binding registration along with course or exam confirmation. Registration can be made in writing on-site or through the online registration form.
Enrollment in the course “German for Doctors – Deutsch für Mediziner” is only possible with a B2 certificate.
Unless otherwise agreed, the course fee must be paid within 14 days from the date of invoicing or at the latest at the beginning of the course. Payment can be made in cash or by bank transfer. The participant undertakes to pay on time.
If the participant does not attend an un-cancelled course at all or only partially, the payment obligation remains. Bookings are made in terms of course time or teaching units, not by levels. Sprachschule Aktiv Braunschweig does not guarantee the achievement of a certain level.
- 2. Class Organization, Course Price
In case of extraordinary cancellation by the customer for a justified reason, the course fee will be refunded if the language school is responsible for the reason for the cancellation.
One lesson lasts 45 minutes. The customer has no right to a specific teacher. Sprachschule Aktiv Braunschweig reserves the right to change and substitute teachers during a course. This does not entitle the customer to cancel, claim a refund, or partial reimbursement.
Sprachschule Aktiv Braunschweig does not guarantee that a certain level will be achieved at a given time. Passing exams is also not guaranteed. Refund of the course or exam fee is explicitly excluded for this reason. In case of delayed payments, the customer agrees that their data will be forwarded to a debt collection agency, which will be commissioned to collect the course fee.
There are no classes on public holidays. Missed classes will not be rescheduled and no partial refund will be given. If a participant’s actual level differs from the booked level, Sprachschule Aktiv Braunschweig may assign them to a more suitable course. The actual level is determined by a certified placement test. This does not entitle the customer to cancel.
If a student misses a paid course without cancelling, they may make it up within six months, provided the course is offered during that period and is reasonable for both parties. After the deadline, this is at the school’s discretion.
- 3. Withdrawal Period – Requirements – Cancellation – Postponement – Level Change
For electronic contracts, you have the right of withdrawal under the provisions of the German Civil Code (BGB). Withdrawal must be communicated to Sprachschule Aktiv Braunschweig in writing (e.g., by email or post). You will be informed of this right with each booking. If the course begins during the withdrawal period, withdrawal is not possible after it has started.
The legal right of withdrawal only applies to online bookings. For in-person registrations at the school, there is no right of withdrawal.
Language courses are booked for a fixed period or a fixed number of private lesson units. If a student cannot attend scheduled dates, they are not entitled to rescheduling or refund. The course may be cancelled after attending the first lesson (trial class = 45 minutes), within 24 hours and in writing, without justification. If the student continues after the trial, it will count toward the course.
There is no trial class for visa courses; therefore, extraordinary cancellation after the start is excluded, except for valid reasons. The school may postpone a course until a minimum of three participants is reached.
If a course is postponed more than four weeks, students may cancel unless a new start date is confirmed within three weeks. Cancellation is also possible before the four weeks, considering mutual interests.
Absence is not a valid cancellation and does not exempt payment.
If a course is ended early by the student, the remaining fee becomes due immediately. Missed installment payments invalidate the plan, and the total becomes due.
If a course is canceled due to force majeure, students may attend a later course under the same terms. If this is not reasonably possible, they may cancel.
Temporary school closure due to uncontrollable events (e.g., pandemics) does not entitle the student to cancel or refund.
Otherwise, the contract is paused and resumes when the cause ends.
Withdrawal Instructions
If the contract is concluded outside business premises or via remote communication (internet, phone, etc.), you have the following right of withdrawal:
Right of Withdrawal
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason. The withdrawal period is 14 days from the contract conclusion.
To exercise your right, notify us clearly (e.g., letter, fax, email). Sending the notice before the period ends is sufficient.
Consequences of Withdrawal
If you withdraw, all payments will be refunded promptly, no later than 14 days from receipt of your notice. Refunds are made using the same payment method unless agreed otherwise. No fees will be charged.
A course interruption due to insufficient German knowledge and reassignment to a lower/different course is only free within the first five days of the course. Afterward, the full fee is due.
If participation is postponed for personal reasons within 30 days of the course start, a 15% fee will be charged.
- 4. Special Provisions for Visa Courses
Students must attend 100% of the classes to receive the enrollment letter for embassy purposes.
Students must state during registration that it’s a visa course. A visa course is any course used to apply for a visa.
If the visa is denied, the student must present official embassy denial. A refund minus €250 for admin costs applies.
If the denial letter is sent more than one week after the denial, no refund applies.
If arrival is delayed due to pending visa, the school must be informed at least two weeks before the course starts. The student will be reassigned free of charge.
If notice is not given, a €190 penalty applies for reassignment.
If the course has started and the student does not attend, it’s considered as taken. To take the course at a later date, full payment is required.
No refunds are given for no-shows due to postponed arrivals.
- 5. Course Participation and Time Availability for Language Visa Students
The student acknowledges that the visa is tied to regular participation in the school’s courses.
Class times are assigned solely by the school based on organizational, logistical, and pedagogical criteria. Times vary from 8 AM to 3 PM. No guarantees or changes for personal/work reasons are accepted. Extraordinary cancellation or partial refunds are not allowed due to schedule.
If a student gets a part-time or mini-job, they must inform the employer that class times can vary. Course participation has priority, as required by the visa. Unjustified absence may affect immigration status.
- 6. Breaks, Postponements, and Rescheduling
The school is not required to reschedule or reserve spots for voluntary absences or non-attendance.
If postponement is exceptionally granted, it depends on future course availability. No guarantees apply.
Late notifications may incur up to €190 administrative fee.
If a student does not attend the registered course, no free rescheduling is allowed. Missed classes must be paid again.
- 7. Telc Exam Registration
Exam registration is binding. Withdrawal is excluded once registered. Fees must be paid within five days of registration. Registration must be at least 15 working days before the exam. A €15 registration fee applies.
If the student is ill on exam day, a medical certificate is required. A cancellation fee of €80 applies.
- 8. Special Provisions for Private and Corporate Courses
For private or corporate courses, schedules can be arranged individually. If students miss classes, no replacement or refund applies.
Once the withdrawal period ends, booked units cannot be canceled, even if the participant no longer wishes to attend.
Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance in writing or by phone. Otherwise, no replacement lessons will be offered.
Private or corporate course hours must be used within one year. Unused lessons expire after one year. No refunds or makeup after this.
- 9. Provisions for Small Groups
If the minimum number of participants is not met, the school may cancel or postpone the course. For fewer than four participants in an intensive course, classes may be reduced to three sessions (3 x 45 minutes) per day.
- 10. Legal Notice
Contradictory general conditions from the client are rejected. Additional agreements must be in writing. This applies to the requirement for written form.
- 11. Compensation, Offsetting
The school is liable only for damages in cases of intent or gross negligence, including its vicarious agents, and for ordinary negligence only in cases of life, health, or essential contractual duties.
Customers may only offset claims that are acknowledged or legally established.
- 12. Place of Performance
The place of performance is Braunschweig. This also applies to online courses.
- 13. Severability Clause
If any provision of these General Terms is invalid, the remaining provisions remain unaffected. The invalid clause shall be replaced by a valid statutory provision.
Date: July 2025